EP2424752B1 - Airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system and method for the production of a vehicle occupant restraint system - Google Patents

Abstract

An airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag comprising at least one first and one second layer of an airbag material, at least one inflatable chamber formed between the first and the second layer, which is inflatable for the protection of a vehicle occupant and at least one seam, by which the first and the second layer are connected with each other along at least a portion of their respective circumference. The airbag is deployed between a vehicle occupant and a vehicle side structure. The airbag is formed such that when the airbag is mounted in the vehicle and inflated, the seam extends along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to a plane formed by the longitudinal and the height direction of the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, an airbag according to claim 6 and a method for producing a vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 8.

It is known, a gas bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system from at least two layers of a gas bag material, for. B. a textile fabric to produce. The two layers are connected to one another via a seam running along their respective circumference, so that at least one inflatable chamber is created between the layers.

The US 2002/180196 A1 describes an inflatable airbag for a restraint system of a vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle. In order to avoid the formation of wrinkles in the inflated state and to use lighter materials, the airbag is made of a multilayer, textile composite material comprising at least one layer of a textile material and a layer of a polymer material whose melting range is lower than the melting range of the textile material , includes. The textile composite material is brought into a defined three-dimensional shape, which is to be formed when the gas bag is inflated.

The US 4,181,325 describes a gas bag made from a single layer of woven material. The gas bag has an upper chamber when inflated, which is adapted to engage the windshield of a vehicle and a lower chamber in a position between the driver and the steering wheel.

Furthermore, the describes DE 41 25 530 A1 an air cushion that is formed from a single length of material. The length of material is folded at predetermined locations and connected by means of an H-shaped seam to form an air cushion.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a gas bag which has a contour that dampens the impact as well as possible and yet is easy to produce.

This problem is solved by the gas bag having the features according to claim 1, by the gas bag having the features according to claim 6 and by the method having the features according to claim 8. Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

• einer ersten und einer zweiten Lage aus einem Gassackmaterial;
• mindestens einer zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Lage ausgebildeten, zum Schutz eines Fahrzeuginsassen aufblasbaren Kammer; und
• mindestens einer Naht, über die die erste und die zweite Lage entlang zumindest eines Abschnitts ihres jeweiligen Umfangs miteinander verbunden sind, wobei
• sich der Seitengassack zwischen einem Fahrzeuginsassen und einer Fahrzeuglängsseite entfaltet.

Thereafter, a side airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided with

• a first and a second layer of a gas bag material;
• at least one chamber formed between the first and second layers for the purpose of protecting a vehicle occupant; and
• at least one seam over which the first and second layers are joined together along at least a portion of their respective circumference, wherein
• the side airbag unfolds between a vehicle occupant and a vehicle longitudinal side.

The side airbag and configured so that the seam extends in a vehicle-mounted and inflated airbag along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction, wherein the seam along the entire circumference of the first and the second layer runs.

The seam is thus a circumferential seam, by means of which the two layers (in particular in the form of at least approximately congruent airbag blanks) are connected to one another in such a way that the chamber which is inflatable to protect the vehicle occupant is bounded by the layers, i. the chamber extends between the two layers. The seam completely surrounds the inflatable chamber.

The seam of the gas bag according to the invention runs relative to a peripheral seam of a built-in conventional airbag in the vehicle, in a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and the vehicle height direction plane (eg at a or in a vehicle seat-mounted side airbag or a curtain airbag), obliquely or transversely. In particular, the plane along which the seam extends, although about an axis which is parallel to the vehicle height direction, with respect to the plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction, rotated, but not about an axis which is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction points, tilted. In other words, although in particular the vehicle height direction, but not the vehicle longitudinal direction runs parallel to the plane along which the seam extends.

By means of this seam course, it is possible to already predetermine the contour of the gas bag by means of the seam, in particular without additional contour-defining means, such B. tethers must be present. Since an airbag usually assumes its greatest extent in the inflated state along the plane of the peripheral seam, the effective thickness of at least one section of the airbag can already be predetermined by the position of the peripheral seam (that is, the seam connecting the first and the second layer).

By the orientation of the seam transverse to the plane, which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and the vehicle height direction, a large effective thickness of the gas bag in the vehicle transverse direction can be realized, e.g. without additional means must be provided which limit the expansion of the gas bag in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first and the second layer of a one-piece, folded piece of material formed (butterfly design), wherein the folded-up portions of the piece of material by means of the seam along its circumference (outside the fold edge) are interconnected. However, it is also conceivable that the first and the second layer are formed from initially separate pieces of material, which are then connected to one another via the seam. Of course, the gas bag may also have more than two (e.g., abutting) layers joined together via the seam.

In particular, it is also possible that the first and the second layer limit a plurality of inflatable chambers, without additional, separate gas bag layers are provided, for example by between the first and the second layer release agent (eg a tether) are arranged.

It should be noted that the seam, by which the first and the second layer are joined together, is in particular a sewing seam. However, it is also possible that the seam is realized by a line-like adhesive bond.

Furthermore, the gas bag according to the invention may comprise fastening means for connecting the gas bag to a gas generator for inflating the gas bag, which are arranged at a distance from the seam. In particular, the attachment means are formed by at least one opening in the first or second layer, the openings being e.g. are such that fastening bolts for fixing the gas generator to the gas bag can reach through them.

In another refinement, the gas bag has a discharge opening arranged at a distance from the seam, via which the first and the second layer are connected to one another, via which gas can flow out of the gas bag into the environment. In particular, this outflow opening is arranged so that it points in the mounted gas bag in the forward direction.

The side gas bag according to the invention is in particular to be arranged in or on a vehicle seat or in or on a vehicle door or in the form of a curtain airbag, which is mounted in particular along a roof rail of the vehicle and which extends in the inflated state along a vehicle longitudinal side.

• einer ersten und einer zweiten Lage aus einem Gassackmaterial;
• mindestens einer zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Lage ausgebildeten, zum Schutz eines Fahrzeuginsassen aufblasbaren Kammer; und
• mindestens einer Naht, über die die erste und die zweite Lage entlang zumindest eines Abschnitts ihres jeweiligen Umfangs miteinander verbunden sind, wobei
• sich der Seitengassack im aufgeblasenen Zustand entlang einer Haupterstreckungsebene und zwischen einem Fahrzeuginsassen und einer Fahrzeuglängsseite erstreckt.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a side airbag, with

• a first and a second layer of a gas bag material;
• at least one chamber formed between the first and second layers for the purpose of protecting a vehicle occupant; and
• at least one seam over which the first and second layers are joined together along at least a portion of their respective circumference, wherein
• the side airbag extends in the inflated state along a main plane of extension and between a vehicle occupant and a vehicle longitudinal side.

According to the invention, the seam extends in each case along the entire circumference of the first and the second layer and along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to the main plane of extension.

The seam (circumferential seam), via which the first and the second layer are connected to each other, thus does not extend along a plane oriented perpendicular to the main direction of action of the gas bag like the seam of a conventional gas bag, but along a plane to which the main direction of action of the gas bag Gas bag is not vertical. The "main direction of action" of the gas bag is the direction in which the gas bag is intended to absorb mainly impact energy, the main direction of action coinciding with the direction in which the greatest force is to be expected on the vehicle occupants in a side or front impact.

The term "main extension plane" is understood to mean that plane along which the inflated gas bag has its greatest extent. In particular, in the case of a multi-chamber gas bag, the main extension plane is determined by the plane of maximum expansion of that chamber which has the largest volume. For example, the main plane of extent of the side airbag (seat gas bag, door gas bag or curtain airbag) extends at least approximately along a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle height direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, the gas bag deploys along a main deployment direction, wherein the seam over which the first and second layers are interconnected along at least a portion of their respective circumference is not oriented perpendicular to the main deployment direction. By the "main deployment direction" of the airbag is meant that direction in which the airbag undergoes the greatest change in its extent during deployment. For example, in the case of a side airbag arranged on a vehicle seat, its main unfolding direction can point approximately in the forward direction of travel or be oriented perpendicular to a backrest of the vehicle seat.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a side gas bag, wherein a first and a second layer of a gas bag material are connected to each other via a seam along their entire respective circumference, wherein the first and the second layer are formed and connected to each other, that when arranged of the side airbag in a vehicle such that the airbag deploys between a vehicle occupant and a vehicle longitudinal side, the seam extends along a plane oriented obliquely or transversely to a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height directions.

Thereafter, the first and the second airbag layer are provided in the form of blanks, which are connected to each other for the manufacture of the gas bag along its respective outer circumference. The blanks are designed (eg not congruent or non-circular), that the gas bag (eg in the form of a side gas bag) is arranged like a conventional gas bag (ie a gas bag with conventional seam course) in the vehicle, the seam, the two gas bag layers together connects, but obliquely to the plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and the vehicle height direction plane and / or extends to the main plane of extension of the airbag.

Figur 1

einen konventionellen Gassack;

Figur 2

einen Gassack gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Figur 3

einen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Gassack;

Fig. 4A - 4D

verschiedene Ansichten eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Gassacks;

Figur 5

eine Prinzipskizze zu einem nicht erfindungsgemäßen Gassack;

Fig. 6A u. 6B

Ansichten eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Gassacks;

Figur 7

eine Seitenansicht eines Gassacks gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung; und

Fig. 8A u. 8B

einen Gassack gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments with reference to the figures. Show it:

FIG. 1

a conventional gas bag;

FIG. 2

an airbag according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3

a gas bag not according to the invention;

Fig. 4A - 4D

different views of a gas bag not according to the invention;

FIG. 5

a schematic diagram of a gas bag not according to the invention;

Fig. 6A u. 6B

Views of a gas bag not according to the invention;

FIG. 7

a side view of a gas bag according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 8A u. 8B

an airbag according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 relates to a conventional side airbag 1, which extends in the illustrated inflated state between a vehicle side structure 10 and a vehicle occupant 20 to be protected. The vehicle occupant 20 is located on a vehicle seat, not shown, wherein the airbag 1 is integrated in particular in the vehicle seat or in a vehicle door of the vehicle side structure.

The conventional airbag 1 has a first airbag layer 11 and a second airbag layer 12, which are interconnected by means of a peripheral seam 2, so that an inflatable chamber is formed between the layers 11, 12. The airbag 1 is arranged and mounted in the vehicle such that the peripheral seam 2 runs along a plane defined by the vehicle's longitudinal direction and the vehicle's height direction, i.e., by the airbag 1. which is oriented perpendicular to the effective direction or parallel to the main plane of extension of the gas bag.

As a result of this course of the circumferential seam 2, the inflated gas bag has its greatest extent in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis. In order to reduce the effective thickness of the gas bag between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle side structure, i. along the vehicle transverse direction to increase, tethers or dart (not shown) may be provided which limit the expansion of the airbag in the vehicle longitudinal direction and thereby cause a greater expansion of the inflated airbag in the vehicle transverse direction.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an airbag 1 according to the invention, like the gas bag FIG. 1 two gas bag layers 11, 12, which are connected to each other by means of a peripheral seam 2 which extends along a portion of the circumference of the respective layer.

In contrast to FIG. 1 However, when the gas bag is mounted in the vehicle, the seam 2 does not extend along a plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction, but along a plane which is oriented at an angle α obliquely to this plane. In the example shown, the plane along which the seam 2 runs is, as it were, rotated relative to the plane spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height directions by the angle α about an axis parallel to the vehicle height direction.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a specific orientation of the seam obliquely to the conventional seam, but in principle any seam courses are conceivable obliquely to the plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction. For example, the angle α can be 0 ° to 180 °.

Moreover, the plane along which the seam 2 extends can also be thought of as being formed by the plane along which the conventional seam extends, ie the plane spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height directions, additionally or alternatively to the rotation about an axis in the vehicle height direction about an axis that is parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and / or about an axis that is parallel to the vehicle transverse direction, are rotated.

In addition, the pivot point about which the plane of the conventional seam is rotated does not have to lie on an axis of symmetry of the gas bag, but may also lie on its edge or outside of the gas bag, so that the invention relates generally to gas bags, which forms a connecting seam between the first and second layers extending along a plane which is oriented in any way obliquely or transversely to a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction plane.

FIG. 3 shows schematically using an example not according to the invention that it is also possible to provide more than one circumferential seam which connects layers of the gas bag together, wherein the circumferential seams can be oriented differently. In the example of FIG. 3 the gas bag 1 has a lower portion 13, the z. B. is formed as an inflatable chamber of the gas bag, and an upper portion 14, the z. B. forms a further chamber of the gas bag, on. However, the upper and lower sections 13, 14 may form a common chamber of the gas bag.

The lower portion 13 is formed by the first and second layers 11, 12, which are connected to each other along a first circumferential seam 2. The circumferential seam 2 extends as in the conventional airbag parallel to a plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction.

The upper portion 14 of the airbag 1 is formed by two further layers 15, 16, which are interconnected via a second circumferential seam 3. It is conceivable that the gas bag layers 11 and 15 and 12 and 16 are integrally formed with each other, d. H. these layers each form a continuous layer.

The second circumferential seam 3 runs along a plane which is rotated relative to the plane formed by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction, and thus relative to the first peripheral seam 2, by an angle α, so that the upper section 14 of the gas bag opposite the lower airbag section 13 twisted as it were. It should be noted that the principle of FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used analogously in other types of gas bag, for example in a curtain, driver, passenger or knee airbag.

The FIGS. 4A to 4D show different views of a non-inventive airbag 1, based on the principle of FIG. 3 based. In detail shows Fig. 4A a sectional view through the upper portion 14 of the inflated side airbag 1, which extends between the vehicle occupant 20 and the vehicle side structure 10. FIG. 4B shows a view of the airbag 1 from the vehicle front, FIG. 4C a side view of the vehicle side structure 10 and seen from Figure 4D a view of the gas bag from above.

The gas bag 1 also has a lower portion 13, wherein the gas bag layers 11, 12 of the lower portion 13 along the first peripheral seam 2 and gas bag layers 15 and 16 of the upper portion 14 along the second circumferential seam 3 are interconnected. The upper portion 14 has mounted in the airbag to the vehicle roof and extends in particular along a backrest of a vehicle seat on which the vehicle occupant to be protected is located.

The first circumferential seam 2 is oriented along a plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle height direction, while the second peripheral seam 3 extends along a plane which is transverse to the plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height directions. In particular, the second circumferential seam 3 extends along a plane which is oriented approximately parallel to the backrest of the vehicle seat.

According to FIG. 4A is bounded by the interconnected by means of the circumferential seam 3 airbag layers 15 and 16 of the upper portion 14, an inflatable upper chamber 17. In the area of the upper chamber 17 is a gas generator 4, which is connected via fastening bolts (not shown), which pass through openings in the gas bag layer 15, with a vehicle structure (in particular a backrest of a vehicle seat).

Furthermore, an outflow opening 5 is provided in the region of the upper chamber 17 of the gas bag, via which gas can flow out of the upper chamber into the environment. The outflow opening 5 is located in the airbag 16 facing the vehicle front and thus at a distance from the peripheral seam 3.

The upper portion 14 of the gas bag, d. H. the upper chamber 17 is separated from the lower region 13 of the gas bag via a separating seam 5, so that a further, lower chamber 18 is defined by the gas bag layers 11 and 12, which are connected to one another via the first peripheral seam 2. Due to the different orientations of the first and the second peripheral seam 2, 3, the upper chamber 17 is rotated relative to the lower chamber 18.

In addition, the upper chamber 17 in the inflated state of the airbag 1 due to the course of the circumferential seam 3 along a plane transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, i. in the effective direction of the gas bag, a greater thickness than the lower chamber 18, the circumferential seam 2 extends along a plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction extends. The lower chamber 18 has by the course of the seam 2 along the vehicle longitudinal direction their largest dimension.

It should be noted that the seam 5, which separates the upper portion 14 of the gas bag from the lower portion 13, is optional. It is also conceivable that the upper and the lower portion of the gas bag form a common chamber. At least it is conceivable that the upper chamber 17 with the lower chamber 18 via overflow, z. B. in the form of an interruption of the seam 5, are in flow communication with each other.

The principle that the upper portion of the gas bag is twisted with respect to the lower portion of the gas bag is in Fig. 5 indicated, showing only the two mutually twisted seams 2, 3.

The Figures 6A and 6B show a side view and a top view of such (non-inventive) gas bag, whose lower portion 13, the first circumferential seam 2, which along a plane transverse to the plane which is spanned by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction, extends, and its upper portion 14 the second circumferential seam 3, which runs along the plane formed from the vehicle longitudinal direction and vehicle height direction has. The upper and lower sections 13, 14 of the gas bag in particular form a common chamber.

The FIG. 7 relates to a further embodiment of a gas bag 1 according to the invention. The gas bag 1 has two gas bag layers 11, 12 which run along a single, circumferential Circumferential seam 2 are connected to each other, so that is limited by the two gas bag layers 11, 12 and the peripheral seam 2, a single chamber of the gas bag.

It is of course also conceivable that the gas bag layers 11, 12 and the circumferential circumferential seam 2 define a plurality of chambers of the gas bag, z. Example, characterized in that between the layers 11, 12 release agent, for example in the form of a band or a dart, are provided so that between the layers 11, 12 more inflatable chambers arise. The circumferential seam 2 extends according to the example of Fig. 7 in the inflated state of the gas bag 1 along a plane which is oriented transversely to a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal and vehicle height direction and parallel to the backrest of the vehicle seat on which the vehicle occupant to be protected is located.

Figures 8A and 8B relate to a modification of the embodiment FIG. 7 wherein a section through the gas bag is shown. The gas bag 1 has fastening means in the form of two openings 111, 112 in the first gas bag layer 11, which serve for connecting the gas bag 1 to a gas generator (not shown). In the region of the openings 111, 112 is also a reinforcing layer 113, z. B. from an airbag material, connected to the first layer 11.

According to Figure 8A are the openings 111, 112 - based on the assembled state of the gas bag - arranged one above the other along the vehicle height direction. In the example of FIG. 8B However, the openings 111, 112 and the reinforcing layer 113 are twisted, that is arranged along an axis which extends obliquely to the vehicle height direction.

It should be noted that elements of the various embodiments described above, of course, can also be used in combination with each other, for. B. can in the Figures 8A and 8B shown arrangement for attaching a gas generator can also be used with elements of the other embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Side air bag

2, 3

seam

4

inflator

5

outflow

10

Vehicle side structure

11

first location

12

second location

13

under section

14

upper section

15, 16

more layers

17

upper chamber

18

lower chamber

20

passenger

111, 112

opening

113

reinforcing layer

Claims (8)

1. A side airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle, comprising

   - at least one first and one second layer (11, 12) of an airbag material;

   - at least one chamber (18) formed between the first and the second layer (11, 12), which is inflatable for the protection of a vehicle occupant (20); and

   - at least one seam (2), by which the first and the second layer (11, 12) are connected with each other along at least a portion of their respective circumference, wherein

   - the side airbag is deployed between a vehicle occupant and a long side of the vehicle,
   characterized in that
   the side airbag (1) is formed such that when the side airbag is mounted and inflated, the seam (2) runs along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to a plane spanned by the longitudinal and the height direction of the vehicle, wherein the seam (2) each runs along the entire circumference of the first and the second layer (11, 12).
2. The side airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that when the side airbag is mounted and inflated, the height direction of the vehicle runs at least approximately parallel to the plane along which the seam (2) extends.
3. The side airbag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and the second layer (11, 12) define a plurality of inflatable chambers.
4. The side airbag according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second layer (11, 12) are formed of an integral, folded piece of material.
5. The side airbag according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by fastening means for connecting the side airbag (1) with a gas generator (4) for inflating the side airbag, wherein the fastening means are arranged at a distance to the seam (2).
6. A side airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle, in particular according to any of the preceding claims, comprising

   - at least one first and one second layer (11, 12) of an airbag material;

   - at least one chamber (18) formed between the first and the second layer (11, 12), which is inflatable for the protection of a vehicle occupant (20); and

   - at least one seam (2), by which the first and the second layer (11, 12) are connected with each other along at least a portion of their respective circumference, wherein the side airbag in the inflated condition extends along a main plane of extension and between a vehicle occupant and a long side of the vehicle,
   characterized in that
   the seam (2) each runs along the entire circumference of the first and the second layer (11, 12) as well as along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to the main plane of extension.
7. The side airbag according to claim 6, characterized in that the side airbag is to be arranged in or on a vehicle seat of the vehicle.
8. A method for producing a side airbag, according to which a first and a second layer (11, 12) of an airbag material are connected with each other via a seam (2) along their entire respective circumference,
   characterized in that
   the first and the second layer are formed and connected with each other such that when the side airbag is arranged in a vehicle such that the side airbag is deployed between a vehicle occupant and a long side of the vehicle, the seam (2) extends along a plane which is oriented obliquely or transversely to a plane spanned by the longitudinal and the height direction of the vehicle.

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